Outgoing Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen officially handed over the sports docket to his successor, Salim Mvurya, today at Talanta Plaza in Nairobi.
The handover comes as Kenya rushes to meet the upcoming deadline for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), set for next month.
Mvurya, who becomes the third Sports CS in under two years, is tasked with ensuring that Kenya meets the CAF January 15 deadline to co-host the tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
“I have officially taken over, and the work begins now. It is an honour to serve the people of Kenya. My focus will be on completing planned infrastructure projects and providing facilities that nurture talent across the country,” Mvurya stated.
On the previous day, Mvurya held a virtual meeting with his counterparts from Uganda and Tanzania to assess the three countries’ preparedness for the tournament.
“We discussed our progress and are committed to ensuring the tournament’s success. I am confident that we will host a successful CHAN next month,” he said.
The new CS emphasized the need to invest in infrastructure to ensure that Kenya meets international standards.
“My goal is to deliver facilities that will not only host CHAN but also foster the immense talent within our country,” he added.
CSs Mvurya and Murkomen touring Kasarani Stadium.
With pressing infrastructure needs, systemic challenges, and a major international tournament on the horizon, Mvurya’s leadership is poised to shape the future of Kenyan sports.
Murkomen, during the handover, called for urgent reforms within sports federations.
“There are federations that operate like one-man shows, with no legitimacy. They exist to enrich themselves, while denying the youth opportunities,” he said.
He also called for a review of the Sports Act of 2013 and announced the creation of a task force to tackle corruption, favouritism, and mismanagement within sports federations.
“Through extensive consultations, the task force will identify priorities and propose reforms to improve transparency and inclusivity,” Murkomen added.
The two CSs had earlier conducted an inspection tour at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums, as the country works against time to prepare the venues for the February 1-28 event.
